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Former Southampton defender Jan Bednarek was confronted by a knife-wielding burglar in a terrifying ordeal on Friday night. Bednarek had helped Porto clinch the league title just days earlier, but his jubilant celebrations were brought to a shocking halt when his home was broken into.

The 30-year-old netted the decisive goal as Porto defeated Alverca 1-0 last weekend to secure their first title in four years. He had been riding high on the euphoria of that triumph all week, only for the celebrations to be cruelly cut short. According to Portuguese newspaper Record, Bednarek and his family arrived home at approximately 9.30pm on Friday night to find an intruder inside their property.

The assailant reportedly threatened Bednarek with a knife before fleeing with items worth around £129,000.

The Polish international and his wife, who have a young daughter together, had earlier spent the evening at an art exhibition. Social media posts have since been flooded with messages of support from well-wishers and fans alike.

Bednarek joined Porto in July, drawing the curtain on his eight-year stint at Southampton following the club's relegation from the Premier League. Having made 254 appearances for Saints, he has proved to be an outstanding acquisition for his new side.

The centre-back has made 48 appearances for Porto this season, netting four goals and forming a defensive partnership with international team-mate Jakub Kiwior. Kiwior departed Arsenal last summer and has been instrumental in a backline that has conceded just 15 goals in 32 matches, suffering a single domestic defeat.

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Porto have been steered to the title by 37-year-old Italian manager Francesco Farioli and former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas, who serves as club president.

"It's very emotional, I'm very happy for everyone," Farioli declared following the 1-0 victory over Alverca last weekend.

"For this group, for the group of people who work here, for Jorge Costa, for the president, for the people who are here... Everyone deserved a title like this after a long time without one."

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Bednarek will have no World Cup to look forward to this summer after Poland fell short in their bid to qualify for the 48-team tournament to be held across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Poland were edged out 3-2 by Sweden in a qualification play-off, with Viktor Gyokeres netting a dramatic last-gasp winner to end Polish hopes.